We’ve made it to the weekend, friends! After a short work week for some, we’ve slogged through the heat, humidity, and smoke and managed to get ourselves back to a chock-full weekend in the 613. Take the chance to hit up a nearby beach, check out the opening weekend of Bluesfest, or any of the following cool events happening around town.
All Weekend
This weekend is the beginning of RBC Bluesfest of course! Ready to brave the heat to check out Shania Twain, Weezer, Billy Talent or any number of local talent? Keep your eyes on our socials, and this space for gig picks from every day of the festival! Day one highlights are here.
A Company of Fools is bringing Hamlet to parks around the area all summer, and this weekend you can find the Pay-What-You-Want shows in Orleans, Navan, and Old Ottawa South. Our favourite Apt613 theatre reviewers tell us all about what to expect in their recent review here.
View this post on Instagram
The Ottawa Titans are home this weekend for their last homestand before the All-Star break next week. Leaning into the Bluesfest theme of the weekend, the promotional calendar promises Shania Twain night on Friday, and Theme Night (Taylor’s Version) on Saturday night. Get your tickets online at least 24 hours in advance to save!
Music and Beyond Festival has begun for their 2023 season, with shows all weekend at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre. The classical music and arts festival runs from July 4–17, with a variety of different artists and performances.
Thursday
The city is brimming with live music this weekend. A special event to look into would be Concerto in Cree Major: An Evening with Tomson Highway. The recipient of the 2022 Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement at the Governor General’s Performing Arts Awards, Tomson Highway will offer an evening of jazz and classical music, accompanied by readings from some of his many plays and novels. The event at Carleton Dominion Chalmers Centre still has tickets available beginning at $20 online.
Lansdowne Movie Nights are back for the summer! The free movies take place Thursday evenings rain or shine at 8:30pm on the Great Lawn, or inside the Aberdeen Pavilion in case of rain. This week the 2019 animated film Abominable is playing, so bring your blankets, snacks and friends for a chill night out! (see what I did there?)
With the heat of summer truly upon us, this is your reminder that Thursday evenings are free at many local museums and galleries, the perfect excuse to escape to the air conditioning! Check out the War Museum, National Gallery of Canada, the Ottawa Art Gallery, or Museum of Nature among others.
Friday
Capital Pop Up Cinema launches their 2023 season this weekend with a showing of The Princess Bride Friday evening at Beechwood Cemetery National Historic Site. There will be snacks available for purchase, and some seating available to rent, but it’s always best to bring your own chair and favourite snacks from home.
View this post on Instagram
On Friday OrKidstra and the Kiwanis Club of Ottawa will partner to send music straight to your ears, on wheels! Visit three hot spots as you travel around Ottawa on a double-decker bus, where you’ll get to witness enchanting live performances by over 30 OrKidstra students! Read more about this free daytime musical ride here!
This is the last summer to take in the Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill! The shows begins at 10pm for the month of July, and it is free to attend, and a great way to begin or end your evenings downtown. The official summer launch is happening Friday at 6pm, with festivities for the whole family.
Saturday
613flea is back Saturday from 10am–4pm at Lansdowne Park. Rare and vintage bookseller Bytown Books will feature early collectible paperbacks; check out Indigenous beadwork at the booth of Waagoshens Beads; Meow! That’s Hot will be offering a range of flavourful hot sauces; and the Kona Ice truck will be serving up flavours from Tigers Blood to Monster Mango! Admission is always free.
For a few laughs, head to the Yuk Yuks Ottawa West basement for “Funny Begins at 50” featuring comedians who are all aged 50+. Tickets are available online for the show on Saturday at 10pm.
The Kemptville Street Piano Concert Series presents Nick Di Gaetano’s Comedy Rock Show, Saturday at 2pm, on the North Grenville Public Library terrace. The performances are all free. If you’re up for absurd adventure and musical mayhem, this all-ages comedy rock show is for you! Take a trip with Captain Nick Di Gaetano into “Unbridled Futurism”, a theatrical 3D experience you don’t want to miss.
The Ottawa Art Gallery is celebrating the opening of its newest exhibition 83 ’til Infinity with a party Saturday night. The exhibition explores 40 years of hip hop in Ottawa, and the free event starts at 7:15pm with speeches and dancing. There are still tickets available online for the party party from 8:30pm to 1am for $15.
The NAC Orchestra is bringing their music to the waterways! Every Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon you can relax along the canal and take in their free performance. They begin on the Rideau Canal outside the NAC, under the Rideau Street Bridge. The boat arrives at Dow’s Lake approximately 45 minutes later and then returns back. The entire trip is 90 minutes, beginning at 4:30 on Saturday afternoons.
Sunday
Atlético Ottawa is home this weekend, taking on Valour FC Sunday afternoon at 3pm. Both teams will be looking for their fourth win of the season. It is also twoonie hot dog night, with a halftime show by Sunshine Disc Dog Group and you can bring your furry friends to the game with you!
View this post on Instagram
.gif)
